Bookcase.



.T01-IN E. GOGGIN. OF SALEM. MASSACHUSETTS.

BOOKCASE.

Matrose.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Dec. 8, 1914.

Application filed September 22, 1913. Serial No. 791,216.

To all, whom, it may conce/'11 Be it known that 1, Joux E. (oeeiN, acitizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Salem, in thecounty of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Bookcases, of which the following is aspecification.

Thisinvention relates to bookcases and similar cabinets, and has for itsobject the production of a device of this class that will have greatercapacity' than the ordinary cabinet without materially increasing thesize thereof.

The invention consists in providing a slid able frame having two or moreshelves at `different levels and in different Vertical planes, wherebybooks or other articles may be disposed upon the'various shelves in rowsand articles on the rear shelves may be seen over the tops of those infront.

The invention further consists in certain novel features of constructionand arrangement of parts which will be fully understood by reference tothe description of the drawings and to the claims hereinafter iven.

0f the drawings: Figure 1 represents a perspective of a stack ofbook-case units embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2represents a transverse vertical section through one of said units withthe interior sliding frame moved outwardly. Fig. 3 represents a similarview with the sliding frame within the casing. `Fig. l1 represents ahorizontal section of same, the cutting plane being on line 1-Li on Fig.3, and Fig. 5 represents an elevation of one of the devices for lockingthe units together.

Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several figuresof the drawings.

ln the drawings, 10 is a base on which is superimposed a plurality ofboolecase units 11 sui-mounted by a top unit 12. These units and baseportion are all preferably secured together at the rear by means of thehook members 1% pivoted to one member and each engaging a pin 1-1 onanother member. The interior side walls of each unit 11 have extendinginwardly therefrom the guide rail 15 extending into a groove 1G with asliding frame 17. This sliding frame 17 is provided with two shelves 18and 19, the latter being in the rear of the shelf 18 and raised abovethe same, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. llachshelf 1,8 and 1.) is adapted to support a plurality of books, the titlesof those upon the shelf 19 being exposed to view over the tops of thebooks on the shelf 1S.

A door 20 is pivoted at 21 to the front edge of the shelf 18, this doorbeing provided with pull members 22 by which the sliding frame 17 may bemoved along the guide member 15 so that the books on either shelf 18 and19 may become accessible. The door 2() has secured thereto at each end aflexible member 23 passing over a pullev 21 in one of the side membersof the frame 17, this fiexible member 23 extending through a hole insaid side member as indicated in Fig. 1, and over a sheave 25 scured tothe rear side of the sliding frame 17. The inner ends of the flexiblemembers .23 are connected together by' means of the spring 2b, thetension of which normally retains the doors 20 in closed position asindicated in F ig. 3 of the drawings.

. The inner side walls of the units 11 have revolubly mounted thereonthe rollers 27 bearing against the upper edge of the side members of theframe 17. These members 27 bearing against the upper edge of the frame17 assist in sustaining the weight of the books or other articles uponthe shelves 18 and 19 when the sliding frame is extended beyond thefront frame of the unit 11, as

shown in Fig. 2. Pivoted beneath the shelf' 19 is a bail 28 which isadapted to engage with the shoulder 29 in the lower inside wall of theunits 11, thus permitting the strut or bail to assist in sustaining theweight of the books when the sliding frame .17 is in the positionindicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. A rod or other guide member 30 isinter posed between the side walls of the frame 17 and assists iuregistering the books upon the rear shelf 19. iVhen it is desired toclose a unit the operator lifts and disengagcs the strut 28 from theshoulder 29 and permits the spring 31 to return the frame 17 into itsnormal position within the unit 11, as indi cated clearly in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings. rl`he spring 26 closes the door 20 and prevents any dustfrom entering the interior of the unit. Bv this means a much greatercapacity of book case is provided without materiall) increasing the sizeof the various units.

lt is believed that many advantages of the invention willbe fullyunderstood from the foregoing description.

Having thus described my invention, l claim:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing; asliding frame therein having an open front and top and provided betweenthe sides thereof with a plurality of horizontal unobstructed shelvespermanently positioned relative to each other at diiierent elevations,those in the rear being higher than those in front; and a door hinged tothe front of and movable with said sliding frame and adapted to closesaid casing when said frame is contained therein, thehinge pivot beingin the same plane with the under face of said sliding frame.

2. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a casing; ahorizontally sliding frame therein; means for limiting the forwardmovement et said frame; and struts pivoted to the under side of saidsliding frame and normally Within said casing for supporting the Weightof said frame when extended beyond the front of the casing, the

free end of said struts being adapted to engage shoulders on the Abottomof said casing.

3. ln a device of the Aclass described, the combination of a casing; asliding frame therein having three side Walls and an open front and top;a door hinged to the front edge of the bottom of said sliding iframe; ay

meente flexible member attached to the door and eX-` tending to the rearof said sliding frame;

and means at the rear of and movable with said sliding frame and securedto the rear end of said flexible member for retaining said door normallyclosed.

4f. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a casing: asliding frame therein having three side Walls and an open front; a doorhinged to said sliding frame; flexible members attached to opposite endsof said door and extending through holes in the side Walls of saidksliding frame to the rear thereof; and a coiled spring movable Withsaid frame and-interposed between, and secured to therear ends of saidflexible member.

5. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a casing; asliding frame thereinuhaving three side Walls and an open front and top;a door hinged to the front edge of the bottom of said sliding frame andadapted to close said open front; a coiled spring at the rear of andmovablewith said sliding frame; and connecting'members interposedbetween the opposite ends of said spring and said door.

Signed by me at 4f Post @Hice Sq., Boston, Mass., this 19th day ofSeptember, 1913.

WALTER E. LOMBARD, NATHAN C. LoMBAnD.

